8 Awesome Board Games You Can Play Anywhere

Ah, the great outdoors… Nothing beats a nice week’s camping, a trip to the beach or a hike in the woods to celebrate the great summer weather. Birdsong, the murmur of the water, the sun warming your skin – it’s a great change from those stuffy weekends spent playing indoors.

But after a few hours of this breathtaking view of nature, you might get a little bored. Wouldn’t it be great if you could bring more than just a deck of cards or a book for entertainment? You don’t have to daydream about your console or gaming table at home. We’ve put together a list of eight great board games that are compact, have fewer components, and can be played pretty much anywhere.

From two-player strategy games to family-friendly titles to party games that are great for large groups, find something new to play naturally this summer.

beehive bag

Sometimes on a day trip you just have one other person interested in playing a game. Challenge them to a match beehive bag! This tiler is a scaled down version of the classic (beehive) This makes it a great option for familiar but easily portable gaming. Your goal is simple: completely encircle your opponent’s queen piece. Games progress quickly, but don’t underestimate this tile-laying game – strategies and blocking tactics keep the gameplay fresh.

The 26 tiles come in a handy pouch, so you’re less likely to lose them. Also, each piece you play stays on the “board” until the end of the game, so you don’t have to keep track of loose pieces. Lay out the beach blanket, find a flat log, or wipe down a picnic table—you can play anywhere. This makes the game great for travel, and we think the bug-themed tiles look best in the great outdoors. Take it with you this summer for a strategic game under the sun!

Pirate’s Dice

Can’t find a flat surface to roll on? Play Pirate’s Dice All you need is the game’s “box”.

It takes up the same space as a can of mints, so you can definitely take this refreshing, luck-based game with you wherever you go. There’s a small bag of game pieces, a pirate ship and seven dice – not much to keep track of even on a summer trip. Ready to play? Each die has six different symbols: the more matching faces you roll, the more checkers you get. Roll the dice in the can (or on any other surface) to collect matches, earn tokens, and eventually gain control of the ship.

Gameplay is fast, allows for up to six players, and is easy to pick up and enjoy for kids and people who don’t often play board games. It’s definitely a great way to spice up a long day at the beach or to while away some time while traveling this summer.

Cubeo

Cubeo is an ultra-portable two-player game that’s fast-paced and strategic, requiring only 12 six-sided dice and a flat surface to play. The first to combine their dice to a value greater than six wins. Block your opponent to raise a leg or put down a dice to score points.

Not only is the game fast to play and easy to learn, but you probably already have everything you need to play. Find the rules online and use your own dice (we recommend two different ones). Colored sets of six six-sided dice) for an easy last minute addition to your summer holdall. Take it on a hike for trailside fun that fits in your backpack and is easy to play even on the ground…if you don’t mind dusting off your dice.

cult following

Choose cult following as your party game for the summer. Each round, a few players mix up prompts from their hand into a ridiculous cult. The rest of the group then listens to their suggestions and decides which cult to join. Whoever has two followers the fastest wins the round. Creative storytelling makes this game exciting for groups of up to eight players (and countless spectators).

The small box and limited cards make the game super portable and ideal for outdoor use. Throw used cards into the lid of the box so nothing gets lost when playing outdoors. To really get that iconic initiation vibe, bring it camping and play a few rounds by the fire after dark.

Find it on Macy’s or Amazon for $18.29

parable

The box for Similo Fables which features two characters on the cover (a ghost and someone holding a very red fruit) and asks you to find out the secret character.

If cults aren’t your thing parable is a great choice. This card-based character guesser is available in a myriad of themes, from animals to mythological and historical figures. Grab your favorite pack and between two and eight players for this fun co-op deduction game. Play cards as clues to help other players guess your secret character. If they rule it out, you lose, but if they guess right, everyone wins!

This game is another simple game that you can teach children, friends and relatives on the go. You can even take two different packs and combine them to add an extra challenge. Because it’s just a single 12-card deck, you really can play anywhere. Start teaching at the beach, on the trail, or at your campsite to stave off summer boredom.

Happy Salmon

When you’ve spent enough time in the sun, get up and keep walking Happy Salmon. There are no rounds, players simply call the action (like a high five or swap places) from their deck and find someone to keep up with. When you find a match, perform the action and move on to the next card in your deck. The first person to have no cards left wins.

The game is housed in an artificial fish the size of a banana, making it fun and easy to take to the beach or river (or anywhere else). Also, it only contains cards, so there’s no chance of losing any tokens. Grab the family to get some energy, or a group of up to six friends to get in on the mayhem. This game is fun for all ages and hilarious to play (or watch) in public.

coin age

Don’t want to take a bag from the car to your favorite summer spot? you can still play coin age. Embark on an epic duel for territory control with a single card and only loose change in your pocket. Deposit coins to conquer fields and get victory points. The player with the most points at the end wins.

This is the best complex gameplay you could ask for in a single map board. It’s fast-paced, a real microgame, and packs a lot of strategy into each game. Print out the map before you leave home and enjoy it on any flat surface. Take it to the beach, pool, or even on plane and car trips to your final destination. Lost a piece? It only costs pennies and a single card that you can replace.

Get the instructions to print and play Hereand make sure you have the coins to play with!

refugee

The box set for Fugitive features a couple full of intrigue and a shot of them running.

If you can’t get enough deduction, refugee is a must. Take it camping, on a picnic, or on beach trips for an epic two-player chase that can be easily played on any flat surface. The fugitive leaves a trail of clue cards and tries to escape before the detective can find out and catch them. Whoever reaches his goal first wins.

It’s fun, easy to learn and a short time investment for a game on the go. This is another easy to learn game for older kids, family and friends. In addition, no loose parts can get lost in the sand or dirt. Give this fun gift NoticeTry this game against boredom while enjoying the time outside.